Wild: Yeo hopes Fontaine's success resonates

NEWARK, N.J. -- The company line regarding young players out of the lineup as healthy scratches is often the same around the league: Stay focused and be ready for your next opportunity.

As rookie Erik Haula prepared to sit for a second straight game Thursday night, Wild coach Mike Yeo has a recent example to show Haula how that can work -- teammate Justin Fontaine.

Despite netting the third most goals in a Wild sweater this season, Fontaine sat for five straight games after the team acquired wingers Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick.

The right winger played on the fourth line in his first game back Monday in Boston, then was promoted to the second line for Tuesday's game against the Islanders in Long Island, where he recorded a goal and an assist in a 6-0 victory.

As long as he continues to produce, Fontaine, who has 13 goals this season, has a chance to remain with Moulson and Mikko Koivu on the second line.

That's a message Yeo is happy to share with Haula.

"When you're not in there, it's how you use that time to make sure you're ready when you do get in," Yeo said. "And I think it speaks volumes (about Fontaine) and the attitude he's had."

Yeo spoke with Haula, a former Gopher, to re-iterate that he had been playing well before the scratch. But after posting six goals on Tuesday, Yeo wasn't about to mix things up again Thursday.

"Obviously (Haula's) been playing well, and he'll get back in," Yeo said. "So we need to make sure when he gets back in, he's at the same level.